DENMARK ASSUMES COMMAND OF COMBINED TASK FORCE 151 BAHRAIN
BAHRAIN – The Royal Danish Navy assumed command of Combined Task Force 151 (CTF-151), Jan. 12. Rear Admiral Kaleem Shaukat of the Pakistan Navy was relieved by Commodore Aage Buur Jensen, Royal Danish Navy, at a formal ceremony onboard USS KIDD of NSA Bahrain, home of the United States 5th Fleet and of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
COMMODORE SIMON ANCONA ASSUMES COMMAND AS DEPUTY COMMANDER CMF
In a multi-national ceremony at the Maritime Headquarters in Bahrain, Commodore Simon Ancona from the UK Royal Navy assumed command as the Deputy Commander Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) from Commodore Tim Fraser Royal Navy on Nov 23.
Commodore Ancona joins from the Maritime Battlestaff HQ based in Portsmouth, England where he served as Deputy Commander of the UK Maritime Force, having previously served as Commander of the UK Carrier Strike Force. On taking up this appointment he also becomes the UK’s Maritime Component Commander (UKMCC) in Bahrain.
PAKISTAN ASSUMES COMMAND OF COMBINED TASK FORCE 151
MANAMA, Bahrain – The Pakistan Navy assumed command of Combined Task Force 151 (CTF-151), Sept. 27.
UAE Steps Into The Fight Against Piracy
CMF’s Commander attended an international anti-piracy conference held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), April 18 and 19. Vice Adm. Mark Fox, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, Combined Maritiem Foces, and a U.S. delegation led by Ambassador to the UAE, Richard Olson participated in the two-day conference which gave government and shipping industry leaders from around the globe a chance to convene and seek out solutions to ending piracy in the region. Held under the theme ‘Global Challenge, Regional Responses: Forging A Common Approach to Maritime Piracy,’ the meeting focused on finding ways to counter the recent spike in criminal activity at sea, off the Somali coast and in the Arabian Sea. Many nations have deployed their naval assets off the coast of Somalia in an effort to counter piracy, especially in the strategic shipping lanes in the Gulf of Aden. Navies, including those of the UAE, coalition forces…
Combined Maritime Forces Visit French Warship
Vice Adm. Mark Fox, Commander, and Commodore Tim Fraser, Deputy Commander, Combined Maritime Forces, visited French Amphibious Assault Ship FS Mistral (L9013), April 21. Invited by Commanding Officer, Capt. Xavier Moreau, Fox toured the ship and addressed the more than 80 midshipmen currently embarked about leadership, professionalism and current regional issues. Mistral is serving as a practical application school for French midshipmen, giving them the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on sea-based knowledge. Fox said, “The opportunity to address the French midshipmen is important. Maritime security is an international concern, and fostering the growth of future leaders of our partner navies is crucial to long-term stability.” The visit highlighted the excellent working relationship and friendship between the United States and French militaries. “Being addressed by such a leader is a great chance for them,” said Cmdr. Jerome Grivelet, French senior national representative. “This will allow the cadets to gain a…
France assumes command of Combined Task Force 150
French Navy Rear Adm. Jean-Louis Kerignard relieved Australian Navy Commodore Greg Sammut as Commander, Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 during a change of command ceremony on board FS Somme (A 631), held in the Mina Salman port facility, Bahrain Apr. 4. The ceremony concluded the Australian Navy’s second successful command of CTF 150, a multi-national task force that conducts Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. Commodore Sammut said, “It has been a privilege to be entrusted with Australia’s second command of CTF 150. The close cooperation, professionalism and dedication of the many participating nations has contributed to the success of CTF 150. I am also thankful for the support of our CMF partners and regional friends in promoting security and stability throughout the area of operations.” Responding, Admiral Kerignard said, “It is a great honour to…
Republic of Singapore assumes Command of Combined Task Force 151
Republic of Singapore Navy Rear Adm. Harris Chan Weng Yip relieved Pakistani Navy Commodore Abdul Aleem as Commander, Combined Task Force (CTF)151 during a change of command ceremony on board HMS Cornwall (F 99), held at the port facility, Djibouti Mar. 31. The ceremony concluded the Pakistan Navy’s first command of CTF 151, a multi-national task force established in 2009 in order to deter, disrupt and suppress piracy, protect maritime vessels of any nationality and secure freedom of navigation for the benefit of all. CTF 151’s area of operation encompasses an area of some 1.1 million square miles in the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin. Commodore Aleem said, “This region is of major importance to international trade and the world economy, and therefore the problem of piracy has particular potency. During my time in command the ships, aircraft and people assigned to me have scored some significant victories through…
CMF ship USS Bulkeley frees ship and crew from pirates
MANAMA, Bahrain – A request for assistance from a Japanese-owned merchant vessel in the Somali Basin led to Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) warship USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) securing the release of the vessel and its 24 crew members from four suspected pirates, Mar. 6. (Suspected pirates indicate their surrender on the bow of Japanese-owned commercial oil tanker M/V Guanabara. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Anna Wade/Released) At approximately 3.00pm local time, Mar. 5, the oil tanker MV Guanabara reported it was under attack when it was 328 nautical miles south east of Duqm, Oman. Bulkeley, assigned to CMF’s counter-piracy mission Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 was directed to intercept Guanabara, supported by the Turkish warship TCG Giresun of NATO’s counter-piracy Task Force 508. (A rigid hull inflatable boat from USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), with support from Turkish warship TGC Giresum of NATO’s counter-piracy Task Force 508. U.S.…
Piracy challanges maritime security off coast of Africa- Commander CMF
Pirates off the coast of Somalia are using bigger vessels to extend their criminal reach in a move that could prompt U.S. Navy forces in the region to intensify techniques for pursuing the lawbreakers, the top naval officer in the region said. Navy Vice Adm. Mark I. Fox, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the U.S. 5th Fleet, told a group of U.S defense reporters that pirates have begun commandeering large merchant ships and using them as “mother ships” to put smaller boats into operation far from the coast and beyond the reach of the international forces arrayed against them.”This is the first time we’ve seen persistent and increased use of mother ships — up to eight ‘pirate action groups’ as we refer to them, disbursed throughout the region,” Fox said, calling this development a “game changer.”Such groups may include one or two mother ships that travel with…